Business Details
22 Years
experience
Your Trusted San Francisco Wedding Photographer
Sonya Yruel Photography is a professional wedding and portrait photography service based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over two decades of experience, the company specializes in capturing authentic, candid moments that reflect the unique stories of couples, families, and individuals. Founded on the principles of artistic vision and technical excellence, the business combines digital and film photography to create timeless images. The team prioritizes building trust with clients to ensure comfort and natural expression during sessions.Services extend to destination weddings across California and international locations, supported by a deep understanding of diverse cultural traditions. The photographer holds a degree in photography from the Academy of Art University and a communication degree from UC Santa Barbara. Client-centric values include inclusivity, sustainability, and a commitment to preserving meaningful memories through visual storytelling.
Services
Wedding Photography
Elopement Coverage
Engagement Sessions
Family Portraits
Destination Weddings
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of professional wedding photography experience in the Bay Area.
- Our documentary style captures candid moments that reflect your unique story.
- Second photographer option ensures comprehensive coverage of your wedding day.
- Expertise in navigating complex lighting environments and cultural traditions.
- Client-focused approach with pre-wedding consultations and personalized guidance.
What people say
Authentic candid moments
Professional and intuitive
Stunning quality
Seamless experience
Great communication
Services
Wedding Photography
Documentary-style wedding photography capturing natural moments and emotional highlights. Services include timeline planning, high-resolution images, and curated galleries. Ideal for couples seeking unposed, storytelling imagery that reflects their unique celebration.
Elopement Packages
Intimate elopement coverage for weekday civil ceremonies. Includes location scouting, timeline coordination, and heirloom-quality images. Designed for couples prioritizing simplicity while preserving authentic memories of their commitment.
Engagement Sessions
Candid engagement photography in Bay Area locations or destinations. Helps couples build rapport with the photographer while creating timeless images. Includes consultation for personalized location and styling recommendations.
Family Portraits
Natural, relaxed family photography capturing genuine interactions. Services include session planning, wardrobe guidance, and digital galleries. Perfect for documenting milestones or creating heirloom prints for homes.
Destination Weddings
Full-service destination wedding photography with local expertise. Includes pre-event scouting, cultural tradition documentation, and travel logistics coordination. Available for locations across California and international venues.
People
Sonya Yruel
Owner & Lead Photographer
Award-winning photographer with 20+ years of experience specializing in documentary-style weddings. Holds degrees from Academy of Art University and UC Santa Barbara. Known for intuitive approach and ability to capture authentic moments.
Questions
What photography styles do you specialize in?
I specialize in documentary-style wedding photography, focusing on candid moments and natural light. I also incorporate film photography for timeless aesthetics.
Do you offer destination wedding services?
Yes, I photograph weddings globally. My experience includes locations in Croatia, France, and Southeast Asia, with local knowledge for Bay Area and California venues.
What's included in your wedding packages?
Packages include timeline consultation, full-day coverage, second photographer option, online gallery, and high-resolution images. Albums and engagement sessions available as add-ons.
How far in advance should we book?
Popular dates book 12-18 months ahead. I recommend contacting me at least 6 months before your wedding for best availability.
Can we customize our photography package?
Yes, I offer custom quotes to match your specific needs, including elopement packages, partial-day coverage, and multi-day event documentation.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Alicia Garcia-Romero
Apr 16, 2021
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Sonya has the perfect mix of insane talent mixed with kindness and an easy demeanor that make having her as a photographer so special. She made us feel so comfortable that our smiles and gestures for the camera were easy and real. She was creative with her shots, making every place feel interesting. She is incredibly responsive, timely, professional, an all star photographer in all facets of the experience. We worked with Sonya for our engagement photos and then chose her again for our wedding. We wouldn't have trusted anyone more for these once in a lifetime occasions. She is who I refer everyone
Elsa S.
Apr 05, 2021
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Sonya has magic in her photography! If I were to describe it in three words: authentic, playful, intimate. Sonya did both of our maternity and newborn photo sessions. My husband and I literally couldn't stop smiling when we look at our photos. We love the way she created the space for us to relax and be ourselves. Both photo sessions felt so intimate. These photos represent so authentically this avalanche of love that we feel towards our baby. We couldn't describe this feeling in words, and yet Sonya captured it in pictures. We're so grateful Sonya helped us create memories for such a big milestone
Joanna Parker
Jan 28, 2021
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Sonya, photographed my maternity session and my newborn baby session. The pictures from both sessions turned out WONDERFUL..better than I imagined they could! The maternity session was tricky because it was on the beach in San Francisco with our hyper golden retriever and lots of people around. She picked all the best views and made the wind and waves part of the livelihood of the photos. I will treasure my maternity photos forever. The newborn session was tricky because, well there was a newborn! Again, she went above and beyond. She truly captured the soul and spirit of our little guy.
Noah Flower
Oct 18, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality
Sonya took our wedding pictures, and we could not have been happier. She captured the memorable moments, big and small, and was a genius with light and framing. And, she was a joy to work with! I would recommend her to anyone.
Sonya took our wedding pictures, and we could not have been happier. She captured the memorable moments, big and small, and was a genius with light and framing. And, she was a joy to work with! I would recommend her to anyone.
Tiffany I.
May 16, 2020
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Sonya was truly a pleasure to work with and we are extremely glad we went with her over all the other photographers out there. We were first interested in her when we saw her online portfolio and liked her style. Afterwards, we met her in-person to ask questions and go over the whole process. Sonya was extremely pleasant to talk to with her warm and professional demeanor. She answered all our questions and went over the contract with us in great detail. After deciding to go with her, Sonya reached out to set an engagement shoot date. The engagement shoot went smoothly and Sonya never rushed us
Donna L.
Dec 23, 2019
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It was so wonderful to have the opportunity to work with Sonya. From the beginning of reaching out to her to receiving the photos, Sonya has been responsive and professional. I cannot recommend her enough! She was able to not only capture the city hall ceremony and pictures with our guests, but also stunning couples photos at city hall. Thanks Sonya!
